Television quizzer Mark 'The Beast' Labbett has disappointed his former partner, presenter Hayley Palmer, by abruptly cancelling a planned interview on her show. The last-minute withdrawal comes over a year after their romantic relationship ended unexpectedly.
A Cancelled Reunion at the Hippodrome
Hayley Palmer, 44, had announced on November 24 that she would be interviewing the 59-year-old star of ITV's The Chase at London's Hippodrome. The event, part of her 'An Audience with...' series scheduled for January 26, was promoted as a chance for Mark to discuss his career in competitive quizzing and prime-time television. This public reunion was notable given that Hayley had previously blocked Labbett after he ended their one-year relationship.
However, the planned sit-down has now been called off. A source close to the situation revealed that Mark "had a change of heart" after further consideration. The insider told the Daily Mail that while both parties were adults happy to move past the split, Mark reconsidered and decided to pull out, informing Hayley via a text message on Monday.
History of a Surprise Split
The couple's past provides context for the current awkwardness. They separated a year and a half ago, with Hayley stating at the time that Mark ended things because he did not want to divorce his ex-wife, Katie. Katie, who is also Labbett's second cousin, is the mother of his seven-year-old son, Lawrence. Mark and Katie's own marriage ended in 2020 after attempts at an open relationship failed, with Labbett also citing their 27-year age gap, lockdown pressures, and his mental health.
Contradicting Hayley's version, Mark later told The Sun the breakup was due to him "getting old," calling Palmer a "lovely lady" and stating he was lucky to have dated her. Hayley has previously described the phone breakup as brutal and said it left her "blindsided." She admitted last year that seeing him on television programmes like Loose Women was "triggering" and forced her to change the channel.
Moving Forward After the Cancellation
Hayley addressed the cancellation professionally on her Instagram. She wrote, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mark Labbett will no longer be appearing." She assured ticket-holders for the January 26 event that they would receive automatic refunds and promised to soon announce a replacement guest for her show's 2026 lineup.
She ended her statement on a positive note, highlighting that her upcoming show with Suzi Quatro is a sell-out and thanking followers for their support with the phrase, "Onwards and upwards!" The episode at the London Hippodrome will proceed with a different interviewee, marking another chapter in the pair's separate paths since their split.
